Schedule helps David Ortiz

Credit: Matthew West

FIELD DAY: David Ortiz fields a grounder at first base before last night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park.

Credit: Matt West

Boston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia high fives in the dugout after his 2 run HR in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on Monday, May 27, 2013.

Credit: Matt West

Boston Red Sox Mike Napoli points to himself after a solo HR in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on Monday, May 27, 2013.

Credit: Matt West

Stephen Drew

Credit: Matt West

Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli forces out Philadelphia Phillies' Ben Revere on an inning ending double play on a line drive hit by Michael Young in the third inning at Fenway Park on Monday, May 27, 2013.

Credit: Matt West

Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli tries to catch a third inning line drive in foul territory hit by Philadelphia Phillies' Michael Young at Fenway Park on Monday, May 27, 2013

Credit: Matt West

Boston Red Sox Stephen Drew drives in a run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning at Fenway Park on Monday, May 27, 2013.

Credit: Matt West

Credit: Matt West

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Andrew Miller loses the race (at least according to first base umpire Todd Tichenor) to first on a single by Philadelphia Phillies' Ben Revere in the ninth inning at Fenway Park on Monday, May 27, 2013.

prevnext

The Red Sox shouldn’t have to worry about National League baseball messing up David Ortiz’ swing this year.

Interleague play has proven challenging for the team’s designated hitter in seasons past, particularly 2011, when a nine-game swing through Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Houston coincided with a 2-for-28 slump.

But with this year’s interleague schedule more spread out, the Red Sox should be able to use the games to their advantage, with this week’s two-day visit to Philadelphia a perfect example.

Manager John Farrell yesterday said Ortiz and Mike Napoli each will play one game at first base in Philly, beginning tomorrow night. Interleague games played in National League parks do not include the DH.

“We plan to give each guy a day at first and a day off and be available to pinch-hit,” Farrell said before last night’s 9-3 rout of the Phillies. “It’s yet to be determined which day it will be, but we’ll be able to use it to our advantage as far as a rest day for either guy.”

This is particularly important to Ortiz, whose bothersome Achilles has responded better to the rigors of this season than perhaps even the team could have anticipated.

He made his 14th straight start last night and showed no ill effects while stretching a single into a double leading off the third inning. That said, the Red Sox want to be smart with the 37-year-old, and the interleague schedule should help in that regard.

Save for a six-game visit to San Francisco and Los Angeles in August, the Sox do not play more than three straight interleague games at any point this season.

That’s a huge advantage for a player like Ortiz, whom the Red Sox would rather not play for a week straight in the field. He took some grounders yesterday to get ready before going 2-for-4 with a walk. He has reached base in 16 straight games and is hitting .327 with four homers and 17 RBI since May 10.

“I think the one thing that people may overlook is that he’s a pretty darn good first baseman,” Farrell said. “And we have no issue at all with putting him at first base.”

That said, Farrell recognizes the Red Sox will be at a “pretty distinct disadvantage” in the NL cities.

“Our team isn’t built like a National League team,” he said. “While we’ve used our bench in certain matchups, we certainly don’t use it to any extent which a National League team does. That’s not to make an excuse. That’s just to know that there’s two different styles of play and teams are built to reflect that style.

“I think the biggest thing in (our favor) this year, we don’t have that nine-game run consecutively in the National League parks where David’s usage could become more sporadic. From that standpoint, the schedule works in our favor.”

Clay-OK

Clay Buchholz played catch yesterday and remains on track to rejoin the rotation shortly, perhaps as soon as Thursday in Philadelphia. He missed yesterday’s scheduled start with soreness in the AC joint near his collarbone.

“We don’t anticipate this being more than a couple of days extended before he’s back on the mound for us,” Farrell said. “We haven’t yet set the rotation where he slots back in.”

Farrell noted that Buchholz has at least two days of regular between-starts throwing before he returns to the rotation, “so the earliest (return) would be Thursday.”

Ellsbury hot

Jacoby Ellsbury was asked what gave him a bigger thrill last night: his three hits or his game-changing catch in center on Freddy Galvis to end the sixth with the bases loaded.

“I’ll take both of them, like I did today,” he said with a smile. “If I don’t catch that ball, probably three runs score. But I’ll take the three hits as well.”

Ellsbury has been on fire recently (10-for-25), including Sunday’s walkoff double. He doubled twice last night for his second game with multiple extra-base hits, and he has raised his average 12 points in the past two games to .257.

“Everybody goes through a little something where maybe it’s not falling,” Ellsbury said. “The swing’s there. It was just a matter of time before the results come in bunches.” . . .

Dustin Pedroia homered in the first, his third of the season, and has hit in 17-of-19 games at a .392 clip. . . .

Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 2-for-4 and extended his career-best streak of reaching base to 16 games with at least one plate appearance. . . .

Napoli homered and is hitting .323 during his past 10 games. . . .

The Sox already have said they plan to activate left-hander Franklin Morales today, but Farrell wasn’t ready to comment on a corresponding roster move.